Oakland mayor's race: Jean Quan trails Libby Schaaf in fundraising

OAKLAND -- Councilwoman Libby Schaaf leads the money chase in a crowded mayoral field, while two of her top rivals dipping deep into their savings to stay competitive, campaign filings show.

Schaaf raised $225,883 in monetary contributions during the first half of the year and has raised $349,030 since kicking off her campaign late last year.

Mayor Jean Quan is in third place behind Schaaf and Port Commissioner Bryan Parker. She raised $86,700 in monetary contributions during the first six months of this year and $216,194 overall.

Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, who started campaigning in June, raised $101,470 in just three weeks of fundraising, but that includes $60,000 of Kaplan's own money.

Councilmember Libby Schaaf, left, and Mayor Jean Quan listen to community members during an open forum at a special meeting of the city council on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Staff)

Attorney Dan Siegel is also taking a big financial risk on the race. He loaned his campaign $100,000, which he got from liquidating one of his retirement accounts.

"I told my wife if I lose the election, I'll try to work an extra two years and make it back," he said.

The top seven candidates raised more than $600,000 in monetary contributions between January and June, records show. That's nearly double the amount raised during the same period four years ago.

Schaaf's haul is only about $40,000 less than former State Senator Don Perata, a notoriously skilled fundraiser, had at the same point of his 2010 mayoral bid.

Asked about Schaaf sprinting out to a six-figure fundraising lead, Quan's campaign co-chairman Michael Colbruno said the mayor's campaign "is based on people power, not powerful pocketbooks."

Parker raised $62,765 in the first six months of this year for a total of $237,847. However, Parker has also spent considerable sums trying to raise his profile. He entered July with only $107,146, which is less than half of Schaaf's war chest.

San Francisco State professor Joe Tuman raised $47,506 in monetary contributions from January through June for a total of $192,856.

City Auditor Courtney Ruby, who entered the race early this year, raised $84,132 through June. Siegel raised $44,051.